What is the name of the virtual simulation process used in machining to test G-code programs?

The correct answer is CNC simulation, which is commonly used in the machining industry to test G-code programs before actual machining takes place. This process allows machinists and programmers to visualize and verify the tool paths and movements that the CNC machine will execute, ensuring that there are no errors that could lead to damage or wasted materials.

CNC simulation provides a safe environment to analyze how the programmed instructions will work in real scenarios without the risk associated with running the code on a physical machine. This helps identify potential collisions, incorrect feeds, or other programming issues that could cause the machining process to fail.

While CAD modeling refers to creating the design of the part using software, and CAM analysis involves preparing that design for manufacturing, neither of these processes inherently involves testing the actual G-code program used by CNC machines. Tool path verification is closely related and is often a part of CNC simulation but is more specific to confirming the paths themselves rather than the overall simulation of the machining operation. Thus, CNC simulation encompasses a broader process that includes tool path verification along with other checks.